Courageous Padgate woman who became face of Cancer Research dies

‘A GIRL loved by many’ is the way Julie Brown has been described by family and friends after she finally lost her fight with cancer.

The courageous Padgate woman defied doctors’ best estimates and battled breast cancer for two months short of 10 years.

Determined to not let it beat her, the 44-year-old travelled to destinations around the world, became the face of North West Cancer Research, won the bravest woman in Cheshire award and started the Race for Life wearing the number one bib before her death at St Rocco’s Hospice in December.

Despite months of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and operations including a double mastectomy, husband Dave said Julie always had a smile on her face and never let anything get her down.

The 50-year-old added: “She was the most out-going person you would ever meet in your life.

“She lived life for today and everybody that met her would say she was an inspiration.

“When we didn’t get the results we hoped for within two hours she would say ‘Let’s move on’ because that’s the kind of girl she was.

“She would do anything for anybody and raised around £30,000 over the years for cancer research even though she knew it wouldn’t help her.”

Julie met Dave after he lost his first wife to breast cancer and was training to climb Kilimanjaro for St Rocco’s four and a half years ago.

A mutual friend asked Julie to be Dave’s training partner and helped him raise £10,000.

The happy couple got engaged during a fundraising night and married in June 2013 which Julie described as the happiest day of her life during a speech on behalf of the charity Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention.

The member of support group Sarah’s Stars received a standing ovation after speaking for 10 minutes about her journey in front of soap stars including Coronation Street’s Sally Webster.

More than 600 people attended the popular fundraiser’s funeral at St Elphins Parish Church on December 23 with friends tying pink ribbons along the streets where her family lived in recognition of her bravery.

Dave added: “Doctors used to tell other patients about Julie for them to use as their inspiration.